Grandma Lillian’s Easy 3-Ingredient Candied Cranberries Go Viral!

Initially, I was doubtful when I stumbled upon a TikTok trend for sugared cranberries. The creators, a mother-daughter team known as Erica and Morgan from Cook It Erica, introduced their Grandma Lillian’s recipe back in 2020. This unique snack quickly went viral, capturing attention each holiday season with new variants surfacing online.

My skepticism was misplaced—Grandma Lillian had indeed discovered a gem! The crisp sweetness of the powdered sugar beautifully offsets the tartness of the cranberries, creating an irresistible snack. The cranberries literally burst in your mouth, providing a joyful surprise.

Our Modern Twist on Grandma’s Classic

While we hold the utmost respect for Grandma Lillian (legendary indeed!), we’ve made a few adjustments in our kitchen to simplify and personalize this delightful recipe:

• Hold the champagne: Originally, the recipe involved soaking the cranberries in a champagne and orange juice mixture. We found that just orange juice does the job well, providing the necessary stickiness for the sugar to cling to. Save that champagne for a New Year’s toast or a fancy cocktail. 
• Quick soaking works: The original recipe suggested an overnight soak, but we discovered that even 30 minutes in the fridge can be enough. Using a plate to keep the cranberries submerged worked like a charm.
• Use a zip-top bag for coating: After draining, tossing the cranberries in powdered sugar inside a zip-top bag proved to be the cleanest method to evenly coat them.
• Extended drying time is best: We concur with Grandma Lillian that a longer drying time after coating enhances the crunch of the cranberries.

Crafting the 3-Ingredient Candied Cranberries

Developed by Renu Dhar and inspired by TikTok’s cookiterica, here’s how to prepare 8 servings of this treat:

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Soaking and drying time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes 

• 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries (approximately 3 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups pulp-free orange juice
• 1 cup (4 ounces) powdered sugar

Start by sorting the cranberries in a colander, removing any that are soft or mushy. Only the freshest cranberries will deliver the optimal pop! Rinse them under cold water and shake off excess moisture.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cranberries with the orange juice. To ensure they stay submerged, place a small plate on top of the cranberries and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.

Preheat your oven to 200°F and prepare a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Position a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or large measuring cup and pour the cranberries into it, allowing the excess juice to drain for a couple of minutes. Gently shake to remove any remaining liquid.

Place the cranberries into a large zip-top bag, add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake gently in short bursts until all cranberries are evenly coated, about 20 seconds.

Spread the sugar-coated cranberries in a single layer on the prepared sheet and bake until the sugar sets, which should take about 5 minutes. Allow the cranberries to cool at room temperature until the sugar hardens, ideally between 30 minutes and 6 hours. They can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips and Serving Ideas

• Avoid using frozen cranberries as they won’t produce the desired crispy texture when bitten into.
• Feel free to soak the cranberries in a different juice or even lemon-lime soda for a twist.
• These candied cranberries are perfect for enhancing cheese boards or scattering over desserts like pavlova or other citrus-based treats.